On of my favorite types of “manual exfoliation” is Derma Planing, Blading or Leveling the skin. Derma-blading removes the outer most layers of dead skin cells leaving the skin immediately smooth, supple and vibrant. Derma-blading (planing) is another non-traumatic method of skin rejuvenation.

How is this treatment performed?

It is safely performed by using a #10 blade (yes, a sterile surgical blade). The blade is held against the skin at a 45 degree angle and stroked along the skin, just like shaving. However, the practitioner is doing the stroking while holding the area of skin taut.

Is this Treatment Safe?

This treatment, when professionally trained, is extremely safe. There is no more risk to the skin than when a man shaves his face. As long as the practitioner has adequate training, the treatment should be very easy and quick.

If you are “blading” the skin on the face, won’t the hairs on the face grow back thicker?

No. It is physiologically impossible for your vellous hairs to grow back thicker. True, once the hair is cut, it has a blunt edge. But this blunt edge does not mean that the hair structure itself has been physiologically altered.

There are two types of hair that grow on our bodies. Vellous (tiny translucent blonde hair) and Terminal (thicker hair that grows under the arms, pubic area, eye brows, mustache and beard for men and legs).

Vellous hair when cut or removed will grow back the same. The structure of the hair does not become damaged, therefore it is impossible to alter. Terminal hair is physiologically coarse. When Terminal hair is cut, it grows back the same way…coarse.

What areas of the skin can be treated?

Blading the skin is performed on the face only. We do not blade the nose, eye lids, neck or chest.

How often is this procedure performed?

Blading can be performed every 3 – 4 weeks. Blading the skin actually removes about 2-3 weeks worth of dead skin cells. We want the skin to complete it’s normal skin cycle of approximately 30 days. I would not recommend treating the skin more often than that.

Does the skin actually peel from Derma Planing?

Sometimes the skin does peel after derma-blading. If the procedure is done at a 2 week interval, then the skin cycle has not been completed. Thus, you are blading skin that does not really need to be peeled yet and peeling can occur.

Also, if using a chemical peel after, you may experience some superficial peeling. But the idea is not to over-exfoliate the skin. We just want to assist in the skin’s natural exfoliation process.

What skin types/conditions can be treated?

All skin types can benefit from derma planing or blading, however, I would not recommend this treatment for those suffering from acne and an over production of the sebaceous gland. The oils from the sebaceous gland need to travel up and connect with the vellous hair. (Vellous hair does not have oil/sebaceous glands) If the hair is removed, then the oils tend to stay below where they are prone to mix with bacterial colonies, ultimately stimulating more acne.

This is truly one of my favorite types of exfoliation. I think that the exfoliation process is fool-proof. Overall, I think that derma-blading the skin is a great way to treat two skin conditions; dull skin and a fuzzy face! Don’t be afraid that the hair will grow in thicker. It won’t. But you do need to be a skilled practitioner, trained in this specific area before you even attempt to do it!

If you wish to learn more about our Derma-blading, please contact us for a FREE consultation or make an appointment.